Edinburgh Morning News 11/3

World stage star Ronnie Duncan is a high profile absentee from the Midlothian team set to face a tough test against Edinburgh challengers Bainfield in today’s quarterfinal of the indoor bowls Scottish Cup being played at The Alex Marshall Arena in East Lothian.

Midlothian finished two points ahead of their rivals in the recently completed A Division of the Premier League and won there home and away clashes; but by narrow margins suggesting that the formbook cant be taken for granted on neutral territory.

Duncans absence has caused a reshuffle that includes team manager Frank Gray promoting former Portobello star Andrew Caldwell from second to Billy Peacock to third for Graeme Archer.

Jim Cullen was a late call-off against Lanarkshire last weekend but returns to the limelight to play second in the rink skipped by Billy Peacock in a team that reads, Rink 1. Jack Macnab, John Stevenson, Lindsay Plenderleith, and Colin Walker. Rink 2. Jamie Macnab, Jim Cullen, AJ Knight, and Billy Peacock. Rink 3. Scott Runciman, Craig Hodge, Andrew Caldwell, and Graeme Archer. Rink 4. Ian Forbes, Ian Fleming, Scott Briggs, and David Peacock (cpt). Gray names Colin Cook, Keith Stables, and David Salkeld as reserves.

Bainfield continue to campaign under the radar in terms of publishing their team selection however spirits are high at their Hutchison Crossway Stadium with the support having cheered a hat trick of Cup wins against Stirling, Cumbernauld, and Elgin.

West Lothian IBC step up their bid for Cup glory with a trip to East Kilbride where the opposition comes in the shape of recent premier league playoff finalists, Falkirk, who represent a major step up in class.

The absence of Cameron Greer and Scott Logan rob West Lothian of two strong leads however replacements Connor McKendrick and Jamie Gracie are seasoned campaigners who will strive to reach the high standards both are capable of. The stars from The Inveralmond Stadium in Livingston romped away with the Division 1 North title and have retained that momentum so there is a confidence that a place in the semi finals is a live prospect. Rink 1. Bryan Cooper, Grant Knox, Stuart Johnston, and James Speirs. Rink 2. Richard Mark, Raymond Logan, Craig Moss, and Mark Allison. Rink 3. Jamie Gracie, Ian Drysdale, Neil Speirs, and Thomas Mann. Rink 4. Connoor McKendrick, Blair Mackie, Des Hagart, and Calum Logan.

The other quarterfinals feature, Blantyre v Headwell at Abbeyview; and East Kilbride v Cowal at Paisley.

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